When I first started cycling in Nice, I thought it would be all about the Promenade des Anglais—a straight, breezy ride with sea views. But I quickly realized Nice is a city with layers of cycling adventures. The coastline stretches toward Italy on one side and Cannes on the other, offering endless opportunities for rides that are equal parts scenic and exhilarating.
I’ve cycled here on short city bikes, rented e-bikes, and even a proper road bike. Each time, the experience has been different, and each time, I’ve fallen a little more in love with the Côte d’Azur.
I’ll share three personal cycling adventures I had in Nice, along with four more routes I highly recommend for anyone—from beginners to seasoned cyclists. You’ll get all the practical details—where to rent, how to get there, ticket prices, services available, booking platforms, pros and cons—and, of course, my very personal impressions.
1. Cycling the Promenade des Anglais – My First Ride
📍 Location: From Nice Airport to Quai des États-Unis
🚴 Distance: ~7 km (one way)
⏱️ Time: 30–45 minutes (easy pace)
💶 Cost: Free if you already have a bike; rental from €15/day
Getting There
I started this ride from my hotel near Jean Médecin. I rented a bike from Vélobleu (Nice’s public bike-share system). You can also book bikes in advance through Cyclo Nice or GetYourGuide.
To access Vélobleu, you need the app and a credit card deposit. The daily pass was €1.50 plus €1 per half-hour, but I also tried renting a proper hybrid bike for €18/day from a local shop.
My Experience
There’s something magical about gliding along the Promenade des Anglais with the sea to your right, palm trees swaying, and joggers, rollerbladers, and families sharing the path. My first ride here felt liberating—I wasn’t just sightseeing, I was part of the rhythm of Nice.
I stopped frequently: once to watch kids build pebble castles on the beach, another time to sip an espresso at a seaside café. Toward the end, near Castle Hill, I parked the bike and walked up to the panoramic view.
Pros & Cons
✅ Smooth, flat path—easy for beginners
✅ Gorgeous seaside views, safe bike lanes
✅ Bike rental stations everywhere
❌ Gets crowded (especially weekends)
❌ Pebble beaches make spontaneous swims tricky
❌ Strong sea winds sometimes make pedaling harder
Services
- Plenty of cafés and rest stops along the way
- Water fountains available (carry a reusable bottle)
- Public toilets near Plage Beau Rivage
Activities I Recommend
- Sunrise ride (less crowded, golden light on the sea)
- Stop for coffee at Le Galet Beach Club
- Park your bike and walk up Castle Hill
My Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
If it’s your first time cycling in Nice, this is the perfect introduction.
2. The Ride to Villefranche-sur-Mer – My Coastal Escape
📍 Location: Nice Port → Villefranche-sur-Mer
🚴 Distance: ~5 km one way
⏱️ Time: 25–30 minutes
💶 Cost: Bike rental €20–€30/day; train return €2.10 if needed
Getting There
From my base in Old Nice, I cycled toward Port Lympia, then followed the coast road toward Villefranche. You can also take the TER train from Nice Riquier station back if you’re too tired to ride uphill.
My Experience
This ride felt like entering a postcard. Leaving Nice’s urban buzz, I followed winding roads with cliffs on one side and shimmering blue coves on the other. The Cap de Nice section was my favorite—rugged rocks plunging into the Mediterranean, yachts anchored below.
Reaching Villefranche-sur-Mer, I rolled down to the old harbor, parked the bike, and rewarded myself with a pan bagnat sandwich (€6) from a local boulangerie. Eating it on the beach with my toes in the sand was perfection.
Pros & Cons
✅ Stunning coastal views
✅ Easy downhill into Villefranche
✅ Great food and beach at the end
❌ The uphill back into Nice is tough
❌ Narrow road sections shared with cars
❌ Limited bike racks in Villefranche
Services
- Small cafés and bakeries in Villefranche
- TER train to return to Nice (€2.10, 7 minutes)
- Restrooms at the port
Activities I Recommend
- Lunch by the harbor
- Quick swim at Plage des Marinières
- Explore the Citadel of Villefranche before heading back
My Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
A short but breathtaking ride, especially for those wanting a taste of the Riviera beyond Nice.
3. The Ride to Cap d’Antibes – My Challenge Ride
📍 Location: Nice → Antibes → Cap d’Antibes
🚴 Distance: ~25 km one way
⏱️ Time: 2–3 hours each way (depending on stops)
💶 Cost: Bike rental €25–€40/day; train back from Antibes €6.50 if needed
Getting There
I started from the Promenade des Anglais, following the coastal road west through Cagnes-sur-Mer, then on to Antibes. From there, a detour around Cap d’Antibes made for a loop full of scenic points.
My Experience
This was my “serious ride” in Nice. It required stamina but rewarded me with everything: long coastal stretches, fishing villages, sandy beaches (unlike Nice’s pebbles), and finally the luxurious villas and pine forests of Cap d’Antibes.
At Plage de la Garoupe, I stopped for a dip—it’s sandy, family-friendly, and crystal clear. Later, I treated myself to a chilled rosé at Le César Beach Club (€8 a glass).
The return ride was long, so I eventually took the TER train from Antibes back to Nice, folding my rental bike (most regional trains allow bikes for free).
Pros & Cons
✅ Epic coastal scenery
✅ Antibes’ Old Town is worth exploring
✅ Sandy beaches at Cap d’Antibes
❌ Long ride—requires stamina
❌ Some busy traffic sections
❌ Expensive cafés along Cap d’Antibes
Services
- Bike shops in Antibes for repairs
- Plenty of cafés and rest stops
- TER train stations in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins
Activities I Recommend
- Swimming at Plage de la Garoupe
- Exploring Antibes’ Picasso Museum (€8 entry)
- Watching yachts in Port Vauban
My Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
A challenging but rewarding ride—best for intermediate/advanced cyclists.
Recommended Cycling Routes in Nice
Beyond my personal adventures, here are four more rides worth considering:
4. Col d’Èze – For Climbers
📍 Location: Nice → Èze Village → Col d’Èze
🚴 Distance: ~10 km uphill
⏱️ Time: 1–2 hours
💶 Free, except bike rental
This is a legendary climb from Nice, often featured in the Paris–Nice cycling race. Steep, challenging, but breathtaking views over Cap Ferrat. Best with a road bike.
5. Nice to Monaco – For the Riviera Explorer
📍 Location: Nice → Beaulieu → Èze → Monaco
🚴 Distance: ~20 km one way
⏱️ Time: 2–3 hours
💶 Train back from Monaco €4.20
A classic coastal ride through stunning towns. Monaco’s roads can be tricky, but the payoff—arriving by bike at the Monte Carlo harbor—is unforgettable.
6. Promenade du Paillon Loop – Family Friendly
📍 Location: Central Nice
🚴 Distance: 2–3 km
⏱️ Time: 20–30 minutes
Ideal for families or those just looking for a gentle spin. Kids love the mist fountains. Combine with ice cream from Fenocchio in Old Nice.
7. Nice Hinterland Villages Ride
📍 Location: Nice → Vence → Saint-Paul-de-Vence
🚴 Distance: ~40 km round trip
⏱️ Half-day trip
💶 Free except bike rental
This is a rural escape into the hills. Vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages await. Stop for lunch in Saint-Paul-de-Vence—a true Provençal experience.
Where to Rent Bikes in Nice
- Vélobleu (bike-share system) – from €1/hour
- Holland Bikes Nice – hybrids and e-bikes from €18/day
- Bike Trip Nice – road bikes from €30/day
- GetYourGuide & Viator – for guided tours and rentals
Discounts & Booking Tips
- Book online in advance (especially in summer weekends) for better prices.
- Vélobleu offers weekly passes (€10) if you plan multiple rides.
- Guided cycling tours on Airbnb Experiences start at €25 per person, which can be cheaper than renting alone if you don’t want to navigate.
Cycling in Nice has been, for me, a perfect blend of freedom and discovery.
- My Promenade des Anglais ride introduced me to the beauty of urban seaside cycling.
- The trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer showed me how close paradise is, just a few kilometers away.
- The adventure to Cap d’Antibes challenged my stamina but left me glowing with achievement.
And the recommended routes? They only add to the endless possibilities—whether you’re looking for family fun, legendary climbs, or coastal explorations.
Cycling here isn’t just about exercise—it’s about connecting with the Côte d’Azur in the most authentic way. The wind, the scents of pine and sea, the taste of salt on your lips—it all becomes part of the story.
So if you’re coming to Nice, pack your helmet, rent a bike, and let the Mediterranean coastline be your guide. 🚴♀️🌊